Dust mop and brush cleaner



April 7, 1959 A. G. LENSING 2,880,438

DUST MOP AND BRUSH CLEANER Filed Jan. 28, 1958 mm m s, W n A e I 9 6 r 3 v u h n 8 fl 3 2 k\ lm n/n & w n 2 E/% H a w ATTORNEYS United States Patent "This invention relates to the cleaning art, and more particularly to a device for use brushesor the like. I

- The object of the invention is toprovide a cleaner which is adapted to be used for facilitating the cleaning or removal of dirt, dast and the like from mops or other in cleaning dust mops,

implements which are used in cleaning floors, buildings orthelike. I M

Another-object ofthe invention is to p'rovide a dust mop cleaner which includes a housing that is provided with a spring pressed door and wherein the door can be moved to an open position when the head of the dust mop is to be inserted in the device, so that upon cleaning the mop, the dust will be removed from the head whereby the 'dust will not fly around a room or other area and wherein the dust from the mop will be contained or'retained within the device so that a highly efiicient and elfective means of cleaning the mop is provided.

A further object of the invention is to provide a dust mop cleaner which is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the same.

Figure 1 is an elevational view illustrating the dust mop cleaner of the present invention, and with parts broken away and in section.

Figure 2 is a view taken at right angles to the view shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary plan view showing the top of the housing.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating the member which is aflixed to the top of the door.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral 10 indicates the dust mop cleaner of the present invention, and the cleaner 10 includes a hollow housing 20, and the housing 20 is shown to comprise a horizontally disposed bottom wall 11, and spaced parallel vertically disposed end walls 12.

Slidably mounted in the lower end of the housing 20 is a drawer 13 which is provided with a handle or knob 14 so that the drawer 13 can be removed when it is to be emptied. The housing 20 further includes a vertically disposed back wall 15, and a vertically disposed front wall 16, and the wall 15 is taller than the wall 16. The numeral 17 indicates a door which is hingedly connected to the top of the wall 16 by means of the hinges 18, and the numeral 19 indicates spring members which serve to normally urge the door 17 into closed position.

Secured to the upper edge of the door 17 is an L-shaped body member 21, and the body member 21 includes a vertically disposed leg 22 which may be secured to the door 17 in any suitable manner. The body member 21 further includes a horizontally disposed leg 23 which is provided with a slot 24. The numeral 25 indicates a base piece which is secured to the top wall 29 of the housing 20, in any suitable manner. The base piece 25 is provided with a slot 26, and when the door 17 is in closed position, the slots 24 and 26 register so that a handle 28 of a mop 27 can be extended therethrough. The top wall 29 of the housing is provided with a slot 30 which registers or coincides with the slot 26 in the base piece'25. The mop 28 is of conventional construction and includes connecting members 31 and a head 32. I

Secured to the inner surface of the end walls 12 are angularly arranged bars or stop members 33. The numeral 34 indicates a substantially V-shaped screen which rests on the stop members 33 and which may be secured thereto. The screen 34 is adapted to receive the head 32 of the mop being cleaned so that when the mop is moved up and down, dust from the head 32 will be removed from the head of the mop. As shown in Figure 3 for example, suitable gaskets 35may be provided around the door 17 so as to prevent dust or other foreign matter from accidentally finding its way out of the housingaround the door.

' From the foregoing, it is apparent that there has been provided a dust mop cleaner and in use, when a mop such as the mop 28 is to be cleaned, the door 17 is swung open from the solid line position shown in Figure 3 to the broken line position of Figure 3 whereby the mop 28 can be readily inserted in the housing 20. The handle 27 of the mop 28 is arranged in engagement with the regi's; tering slots 26 and 30, and then when manual pressure" on the door 17 is released, the spring members 19 will return the door to closed position. When the door moves to closed position, the slot 24 in the body member 21 will register with the handle 27 of the mop 28.

The screen 34 which has a V-shape as shown in the drawings, rests against the bars 33 and may be secured thereto in any suitable manner. Thus, it will be seen that with the mop 28 in the position shown in Figure 1 or Figure 3, that upon gripping the upper end of the handle 27 and moving the mop up and down, the dirt or dust will be removed from the mop head 32, so that the screen 34 will effectively clean the mop head. After the mop head has been cleaned, the door 17 is swung open and then the mop 28 is removed from the housing so that the mop can be used in the usual manner.

The body member 21 coacts with the base piece 25 to provide a dustproof joint around the mop handle whereby no dust will escape into the room during the cleaning of the mop. Similarly, the space around the door 17 is provided with the gaskets 35 which also help prevent accidental escape of dust at these points. The drawer 13 is removable so that by gripping the knob 14, the drawer 13 can be removed as when it is to be emptied. The drawer 13 can serve to collect material which is removed from the mop head by the screen 34.

The parts can be made of any suitable material and in different shapes or sizes.

It is to be noted that the present invention is constructed so that both sides as well as the bottom of the mop head will be effectively cleaned. The members 21 and 25 constitute packing which prevent dust from escaping into the room. The device is efliciently dustproof without the use of air suction. The present invention is especially suitable as an institutional dust mop and brush cleaner, and the door is convenient when heavy dust mops are being inserted for cleaning. The device is especially useful for maintaining sanitary conditions and the device is especially advantageous for use in institutions such as hospitals, schools, convents, sanitariums and the like. The device will eliminate the unsatisfactory method of shaking dust mops into the air or into an open chute wherein dust has a tendency to settle on clothing, faces, or inhaled into the nostrils. Furthermore, often large mops such as those which are used in institutions are difficult to handle so that the task of making such mops dust free is often only half done. With the present invention, the door can be opened and then the dust mop inserted in the device and then the door is closed. The slots hold the mop in the proper position horizontal with the cleaning screen. Then, With a simple up and down movement, the mop or brush is cleaned of dirt, dust and lint. No air suction device is used. and the receiving drawer 13 catches all the dirt, dust and lint and none of it escapes into the air. The spring hinged door is convenient for inserting heavy mops and there are no latches or pins or locks to pin or close. The V-shaped cleaning screen 34 fits any type of handled dust mop or brush.

It is to be noted that there is provided a V-shaped cleaning screen arranged in a dustproof boX which can be used for cleaning any type of handled dust mop or brush by the simple motion of raising and lowering the dust mop or brush into the screen and the present invention is especially suitable for institutional purposes such as for use in hospitals, schools, convents or the like. The slots are proportioned or arranged at such an angle with the cleaning screen for efficiently cleaning the sides of the dust mop as well as the bottom. The spring hinged door stays closed without the use of a latch and conveniently helps to insert heavy dust mops for cleaning, and the drawer 13 can be used for receiving pebbles, dust, lint and dirt. The members such as the members 35 and 21 may be made of yieldable material such as rubber. The slots insure that the dust mop will be guided or held in the proper position for cleaning.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that simply by raising and lowering the mop into the V-shaped screen, the mop will be etficiently cleaned.

Minor changes in shape, size and rearrangement of details coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, if desired.

I claim:

In a cleaning device, a hollow housing including a horzontally disposed bottom wall, vertically disposed spaced parallel end walls, a horizontally disposed top wall, said housing further including vertically disposed back and front Walls, a door hingedly connected to said front wall, an L-shaped body member including a vertically disposed leg secured to the upper edge of said door, said body member further including a horizontally disposed leg provided with a slot therein, a base piece secured to said top Wall and having a slot therein, said slots registering when the door is in closed position whereby a mop handle can be extended therethrough, a pair of angularly arranged has secured to the inner surface of each of said end walls, a screen V-shaped in cross section extending between said end Walls and engaging said bars, spring members for normally urging said door into closed position, and a drawer slidably positioned in the bottom of said housing.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,804,229 Powell May 5, 1931 1,892,494 Reynolds Dec. 27, 1932 2,031,374 Liedtke et al Feb. 18, 1936 2,121,426 Dickinson June 21, 1938 2,510,860 Blumenson June 6, 1950 

